#comment comment comment

[lau219]

So, likes are great, but writers want comments — it’s that simple, guys.

A single word.

One sentence.

An anonymous note.

An entire paragraph.

Anything in between.

Any or all of the above are fantastic options.

Please leave a comment.

It keeps us going.

[fsbc-librarian]

So guys, I’m sorry, but HUGE rant incoming here - turn away now if you don’t want to hear it!

I am the biggest pusher for leaving comments on AO3. Hell, I can even break down 4 different comment types that are all perfectly acceptable for anyone feeling shy or not knowing where to start 🤷‍♀️ but authors, please remember:

YOU ARE NOT ENTITLED TO COMMENTS.

As an author, I know comments are amazing! They give you a kick, they give you fuel, they make you feel wonderful, someone has read your work and loved it!

And I love the authors: you’re giving me stories for FREE and if all it takes to to pay for this is to comment, then HELL YES! I will comment!

But you’re not entitled to my comments. You’re not entitled to anything from anyone. Respect goes both ways.

🔆

For those curious and wondering where to start, these are the four comment types I personally recommend and know that I - and my author friends - love:

Type 1: Hieroglyphics

Where the reader leaves no words, only emojis. Minimum of one (1), up to 1000.

Type 2: Basic

Short and succinct, to the point. Usually lovely, may or may not include emojis . “I loved this!”, “Wow! 🔥”, “Thank you for writing this!”

Type 3: Textbook

Where the reader leaves a three part comment that is literally perfect - compliment for the fic overall, highlight a specific bit, let the author know that you’d love to see more. “This fic is so good! I loved the bit where X fell off the couch! I haven’t stopped laughing 😂 I’d love to see more if you ever decide to revisit this ‘verse!”

Type 4: Derangement

No holds barred. Can be a wall of emojis, a step by step commentary, unintelligible flailing, overuse of the word “wow”, left in a positive manner, and quite possibly involves the theoretical throwing of Australian marsupials. It may or may not involve personal stories, tangents, shopping lists, or reminders for things that are only very distantly related to fanfiction at all.

(It should also be noted that type 4 is the type I use when my friends post work, so the ‘derangement’ descriptor is my own, and is said in good fun.)

🔆

The other side of the commenting coin is for how authors choose to respond to these comments. SO THIS IS FOR THE AUTHORS!

YOU DO NOT HAVE TO REPLY TO COMMENTS!

For those who do want to respond - but maybe you’re a bit lost about what to say - keep reading!

Type one is the easiest to respond to, if you choose to respond. Leave a single emoji in reply, a 💜 or a 🌸. Get fancy with it, and leave 1 emoji for every emoji they’ve left you. Or keep it simple and just say “thanks”.

Type two is also easy to respond to. “Thanks!” or “Thanks for reading!” Chuck out an emoji if you’re feeling fancy!

Type three can be difficult. You can still easily just say “thanks”, or you can stretch it out. “Thanks for reading! I got a laugh out of writing that bit, I'm glad you enjoyed it too! Keep an eye out, I might be tempted to come back!”

Type four is usually fun, because you usually know the person who commented, so you can respond in a manner equally deranged, or you can just send them a heart or other emoji(s) of your choosing 💜.

🔆

However.. maybe there’s something else going on, or this is an old fic, or you’re taking a break from writing and you just don’t feel like commenting.

If that’s the case that’s perfectly fine - you can leave it be. Remember, you don’t have to reply. But if you choose to? Be kind. It costs nothing to be kind, and it keeps newer people in the fandom. Maybe this commenter has just found your 6-year old fic, and didn’t realise how long ago it was written.

If you do want to reply, you can say “thanks for reading! I’m actually taking a break from writing right now, and this fic is so old I'm not likely to write any more for it, but i’m glad you liked it” or “Thanks for reading!”. Hell, you can even leave a heart 💜 or a 🌸 or the old classic 😊.

Don’t forget: commenters and authors alike, we don’t know what anyone else is going through, and most people don’t have multiple platforms, so maybe the person who commented on your work doesn’t know anything about anything you haven’t posted on ao3 in author notes.

🔆

All this to say, kindness goes both ways, let’s all just have a little respect for one another and remember there are people behind the avatars who are, entirely possibly, just trying to be nice and supportive which is exactly what we want our fandom to be.

[wendersfive]

I’m that fic edit   x create create create

[lrndvs]

compliments from girls go hard

[werewolf-transgenderism]

just watched a video of a wildlife rehabber tube-feeding the teeny tiniest orphaned baby opossum and the comments are fucking KILLING me

baby opossum (too teeny, hasn’t finished cooking in the marsupial pouch like it ought to have done, doesn’t even look like it should exist):

the comments:

[worldsewage]

My bacteria means I like it.

[gayestcowboy]

this shit is the only remaining good part of twitter

[seldomsee]

I can't stop thinking about this post

[ponpasta]

messing around with a new brush/tool

[butchfalin]

the funniest meltdown ive ever had was in college when i got so overstimulated that i could Not speak, including over text. one of my friends was trying to talk me through it but i was solely using emojis because they were easier than trying to come up with words so he started using primarily emojis as well just to make things feel balanced. this was not the Most effective strategy... until. he tried to ask me "you okay?" but the way he chose to do that was by sending "👉🏼👌🏼❓" and i was so shocked by suddenly being asked if i was dtf that i was like WHAT???? WHAT DID YOU JUST SAY TO ME?????????? and thus was verbal again

[birdblues]

[girldraki]

this is insane

[froody]

[titleofpersonage-p01]

[woetoy]

what goes on

[christadeguchi]

i watch baseball for the side quests

update: i think you should look at the reblogs for more important baseball hijinks